The following countdown touts my best early guess of the top 20 starting pitchers heading into fantasy drafts for 2013.

(Stats compiled through Sept. 13.)

This off-the-cuff brainstorm may be rooted in hard numbers, but it's also a soft measurement of where the market currently stands and where it'll be in mid-to-late March.

For all we know, young guns like Dylan Bundy (Orioles), Jake Odorizzi (Royals), Matt Harvey (Mets), Gerrit Cole (Pirates), Trevor Bauer (Diamondbacks) or teen prodigy Jose Fernandez (Marlins) could somehow force their way into the next countdown, thanks to a stupendous spring.

But at this point, I prefer to lean on the following cast of savvy veterans, which includes a 23-year-old lefty who's primed for a big jump next season.

Special Mention: Atlanta's Brandon Beachy (5-5, 2.00 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 68/29 K-BB) would likely have garnered a top-25 ranking if he hadn't suffered a season-ending elbow injury back in June. We'll see how things shake out in 2013 before assigning a new ranking.

19. CC Sabathia, New York Yankees

1. While it's true that CC Sabathia is falling short of last year's output in wins, ERA and strikeouts, his WHIP and K/9 levels have improved—indicating that Sabathia isn't slowing down at age 31.

2. When logging 30-plus starts, Sabathia is a prime candidate for 18 to 20 wins per season.

3. Of his 24 seasonal starts (through Sept. 8), Sabathia has recorded nine outings of eight-plus strikeouts. For April (covering five starts and 35.1 innings), Sabathia had a 3-0 record and 38/9 K-BB ratio.

4. Sabathia has surrendered two or less earned runs 10 times this year.

15. Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

1. Zack Greinke (4.15 ERA with the Angels) may not be enjoying his best season in the majors, but his overall numbers with L.A/Anaheim and Milwaukee are still pretty good.

2. Greinke has a realistic shot at matching or eclipsing his personal best in victories (16). The same holds true for 190 strikeouts by season's end.

3. He's on track to post five months of three or more victories, reaffirming that Greinke rarely falls into prolonged slumps. Plus, he averaged 32.4 strikeouts for the months of April, May, June, July and August.

4. Greinke will be one of the most coveted free agents in baseball this winter. Upon choosing the right environment, the 28-year-old pitcher should reclaim his "elite" standing next season.

7. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

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2012 Stats: 14-6, 3.03 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 184/48 K-BB

Reasons To Support This Selection

1. At age 28, Cole Hamels has become a lock for 14 wins, 3.00 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 190 strikeouts, with limited variations from year to year. In fact, Hamels has an outside chance at 200 strikeouts and a sub-3.00 ERA this season.

2. Of his 27 starts to date, Hamels has yielded just two or less runs 14 times. And in that span, he's 26-for-27 in allowing three walks or less.

3. Hamels has notched six-plus strikeouts in all but five of his 27 starts this year.

6. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays

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2012 Stats: 17-5, 2.54 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 175/54 K-BB

Reasons To Support This Selection

1. David Price is on track to match or eclipse his career highs in wins (19), ERA (2.72), WHIP (1.11) and K/9 ratio (8.7) this season. He also has a reasonable chance for 190 strikeouts and 20 victories.

2. From June 19 to Aug. 21, Price was an immaculate 12-for-12 in allowing three runs or less, including four scoreless gems. He was unblemished in giving up three walks or less, as well.

3. In that time span, Price also had a 7-0 record and notched seven or more strikeouts eight times.

4. Price has eight outings of eight-plus strikeouts this season. He's also on the short list of MLB pitchers to log double-digit strikeouts in consecutive starts.

5. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

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2012 Stats: 17-4, 2.74 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 130/39 K-BB

Reasons To Support This Selection

1. In a season stalled by annoying injuries, Jered Weaver is still on track to match or eclipse career highs in wins (18) and WHIP (1.01). And his current ERA (2.74) will serve as his second-best effort of seven major league seasons.

2. Weaver has eight full outings of zero runs allowed and four others with just one run surrendered.

3. The Angels ace won nine straight appearances from June 20 to Aug. 6, yielding three runs or less eight times.

4. Splits-wise, Weaver had an unblemished record for three months. His numbers in July: 6-0, 2.23 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 26/9 K-BB ratio.

4. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

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2012 Stats: 15-6, 3.16 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 197/48 K-BB

Reasons To Support This Selection

1. For 2013, fantasy owners should operate under the assumption that Stephen Strasburg won't be subjected to any pitch counts or innings-limit thresholds, courtesy of Nationals management (or the co-architect of Washington's roster, agent Scott Boras).

2. But that doesn't necessarily guarantee better numbers for Strasburg, who's already a rock-solid candidate for 190 strikeouts and a sub-3.00 ERA during healthy seasons.

3. Of his 28 seasonal starts, Strasburg surrendered just two runs or less 19 times. In that span, he also yielded three or less walks 24 times.

4. In a regular season of 35 starts, Strasburg would have a chance at 22 wins and 245 strikeouts.

2. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

1. As of Sept. 14, Felix Hernandez is one strikeout away from clinching a fourth straight season of 200 strikeouts. He's also on pace to secure a sub-3.00 ERA for the third time in four years.

2. From June 17 to Aug. 27, spanning 109 innings, King Felix had the following numbers: 9-0, 1.40 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 110/17 K-BB ratio. It is easily the most dominant 14-start stretch of any pitcher this season.

3. The 2013 Mariners should be markedly improved, meaning that Fernandez wouldn't have to be near-perfect every month for another shot at 19 wins (his 2009 tally).

4. The Seattle ace has eight outings of eight-plus strikeouts this year. He's also on the short list of MLB pitchers with double-digit strikeouts in consecutive starts.